Prishtinë, 5 June 2020 – The Ombudsperson, on the occasion of World Environment Day, draws attention of all institutions in the country on the need for more profound commitment in undertaking concrete and necessary measures to safeguard and protect the country from environmental devastation, in order to respect citizens’ right to a safe and healthy environment.

In these awkward days when the whole globe is facing the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the immense role of the nature as well as entire World’s great concern has been highlighted, a concern that is both urgent and existential.

Our country continues to be challenged by huge environmental issues such as water, air and land problems, waste management, noise control and all these environmental problems have remained at almost the same level for many years. Furthermore, no improvement has been achieved with regard to enforcement of environmental legislation, as well as protection of environmental rights in Court. Respect of public’s right to access environmental information and participation in environmental decision-making processes, continues to be followed by uncertainties and challenges.

Recently, the Ombudsman has been engaged in addressing environmental issues in the country, issuing reports with recommendations in many areas regarding the restriction of the right to a safe and healthy environment, as in the case of asbestos-containing waste, the issue of hydro-power plants across the country’s rivers and many other issues.

With regard to the fact that the right to a safe and healthy environment is guaranteed by the country’s Constitution and as such is listed among the values on which the constitutional order is based, the Ombudsperson calls upon country’s institutions, specifically the Assembly of the Republic Kosovo, to conduct effective oversight over enforcement of environmental standards and legislation by the Government of the country. This call is addressed also to bodies of judicial power urging them to provide effective judicial protection to citizens in reference to handling of cases initiated in court related to violation of environmental rights.

World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June, which was set by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Biodiversity” and aims to raise awareness on protection of the environment as well as to 1 million species threat with extinction worldwide.